What to watch for this weekend: Andrew Hammond returns for Binghamton Senators

Goalie Andrew Hammond was playing his best hockey of the season prior to his emergency recall to Ottawa last week, and will likely get his first game action in almost two weeks on Friday against St. John’s.

Hammond’s record over the past six games (3-3) doesn’t tell the full story as he also sports 2.02 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage. Hammond, 26, struggled at the start of his rookie season but he has improved as his workload increased.

He figured to spell starter Nathan Lawson this season but due to callups and injuries, Hammond has played in 39 games (Lawson has played 28). Hammond has lowered his GAA (2.86) and save percentage (.907) to season bests while improving his record to 20-15-3.

Here are other things to watch for this weekend:

IceCaps look for sweep. The B-Sens have defeated all but two of their opponents this season, and one of those teams is their opposition Friday.

The St. John’s IceCaps hold a 3-0 series lead, winning one of the contests in a shootout, and are one of three teams to shut out the high-scoring B-Sens. Binghamton has struggled against the IceCaps since their inception in 2011, compiling a 2-8-0-1 record. Both wins have come at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.

Center John Albert has six goals in his past four games for the IceCaps, who are 8-2 in their past 10 contests and currently in the midst of a six-game road trip.

St. John’s (41-21-1-3, 86) are tied for the second-best record in the Eastern Conference but hold the No. 4 seed in the playoff race because they trail Manchester in the Atlantic Division. The B-Sens hold the No. 3 seed as East Division leaders.

Culek looking to make impact. Forward Jakub Culek has been recalled from the Elmira Jackals. Culek, who is scoreless in two games with the B-Sens this season, has 30 points (8-22) in 49 games with the Jackals. Forward Danny Hobbs was re-assigned to Elmira. With three games in three days and only two extra forwards, Culek figures to see some action this weekend.